Steam-trap.



Patented N ov. 1'?, 1914. G.

R. T. EVANS & W. G. NORD.

STEAM TRAP.

APPLIGATION FILED JUNE a, 1911.

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ROBERT T. EVANS AND .WALTER NORD, 0F YOUNGSTOWN, OHIO.

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To all 107mm it may concern Beit known that we, ROBERT T. EVANS and vVaLrna G. Norm, citizens of the United States, and residents of Youngstown, county of Mahoning, and State of Ohio, have jointly invented anew and useful Improvement in Steam-Traps, of which the following is a specification, the principle of the invention being herein explained and the best mode in which we have contemplated applying that principle, so as to distinguish it from other inventions.

Our invention relates in general to an improved steam trap and in particular `to the valve mechanism for discharging the con-` tents oi' the trap.

The object oi' the invention is to provide a discharge valve that will be simple and durable, and permit of a more rapid discharge than in prevailing types of construction.

Our trap comprises a drain-chamber adapted to collect the Water condensed out of the steam in passage in a line and valve mechanism for periodically discharging the water from the drain chamber.

To the accomplishment of this and related ends, said invention consists of the means hereinafter fully described and particularly pointed out in the claim.

The annexed drawings and the following description set forth in detail certain mechanism embodying the invention, such disclosed means constituting, however, but one of various mechanical lorms in which the principle of the invention may be used.

1n said annexed drawings: Figure l is a vertical section through the steam trap, showing the valve mechanism; Fig. 2 is a vertical section on the line 2-2, Fig. l.

In Fig. l the drain-chamber l is designed to be connected with a steam line (not shown) by the pipe 2, and has a drain pipe 3 which is normally kept closed by suitable means (not shown). The drain-chamber l is also provided with an air valve l normally kept closed and an outlet-pipe 5 normally kept closed by valve mechanism to be described hereafter. The said valve mechanism comprises a ball valve 6 normally retained on its seat 7 by gravity, thus closing the discharge pipe. At one side of the valve-seat 7 is an inclined runway 8, up which the ball is adapted to be moved by the reciprocable plunger 9 attached at one end to the short arm of the bell-crank Specification of Letters Patent.

`Application filed June 8, 1911.

Patented N ov. 17 1914. Serial No. 631,923..

leverlO which is oscillatorily mounted on the pin 1l and is pivot-ally connected to the bucketdloat l2 by the bolt 13. 'lhe ball valve 6 operates in a supplementary casing or chamber 20 attached to the side oi the main chamber l about the outlet 5. lntegral with the casing 20 is a lug 2l to which is pivotally attached the bell crank lever l0 by the pin l1. The plunger 9 is a recip- 4rocable in the slot l-@l into which it lits the bucket until the bottom of the latter is in contact with the end oi the siphon pipe when the bucket is at its highest possible position as shown in Fig. l. This action draws the plunger away from contact with the ball which then seats securely closing' the discharge pipe. As the water rises over the top of thebucket, the latter is filled and finally sinks to the bottom rotating the bell-crank lever and thus causing` the plunger to move the ball up the inclined runway, opening the valve. The Vater is then forced out through the pipe 17 by the pressure oi the steam. oft water the bucket is floated by the remaining water in the chamber and the operation is repeated.

The advantages which we claim for our valve are the simplicity of construction and operation and the increased li'l'e oi' the valve by reason of the ball being slightly rotated by the discharging water, causing it to seat on a dillerent portion oi the circumference each time, thus practically grinding in the valve continually. By using a plunger which is transversely disposed with respect to the valve we do not diminish the area oi' the valve opening in the least, thus securing that rapid discharge which is essential to a good steam trap.

lVe do not oi course limit the use of this valve mechanism, which is in itself new as well as in combination with a liquid drain chamber, to the use here shown, but may When emptied i adapt it to various 'Huid-handling mechanisms.

Other modes of applying the principle of our invention may be employed instead of the one explained; change being made as regards the mechanism herein disclosed, 'provided the means stated by the following claim or the equivalent oi' such stated meansv be employed.

W'e therefore particularly point out and distinctly claim as our invention in a mechanism of the class described, the combination with a liquid drain chamber provided With a removable cover` and having inlet and outlet openings; of a second and smaller chamber removably attached Within said drain chamber about such discharge opening and adjacent to said cover; valve mechanism disposed Within said second chamber and adapted to control such discharge opening, said valve Copies of this patent may be obtained for mechanism comprising a movable ball and seat therefor; a runway mounted in said second chamber' adjacent said valve seat and inclined toward the same; said second chamber having inlet and discharge openings; a pipe attached to such inlet opening in said second chamber and extending outward and downward in said first-named chamber; a lever pivotally mounted upon said second chamber and adapted to actuate said ball valve; and an open bucket float attached to lever and actuatedby the liquid level in saidiirst-named chamber, said pipe extending Within said bucket.

Signed by us, this 6th day of May, 1911.

ROBERT T. EVANS. WALTER Gr. NORD.

Attested by" WV. H. WILSON, V E. A. SHIRLEY.

five cents each, by addressing the Commissioner of Patents.

Washington, D. C. 

